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Sue Staton

Down the Lane

Everyone loves a birthday party and America is getting ready to celebrate its 245th birthday. Each American will celebrate in different ways as they do each year. I have a feeling the first celebrations included lots of prayer for this wonderful land called America. I sure hope this year we include prayer for our country and one another on the Fourth of July, the day we celebrate our Independence Day, and this prayer is often repeated throughout the year.

I truly love the song God Bless America! – God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her with a light from above! Each time I hear those words I feel a sense of pride for my great country, America!

With the upcoming celebration I wish that everyone who lives in America felt the same amount of pride that I do. However, it is becoming more obvious to me that not everyone feels the same way about our country as I do.

I notice the disdain and lack of pride as I drive down the highways, walk on the streets and watch as people trash our land. I watch as people flip a cigarette out the window or litter the sidewalks with cigarette butts before going into a store. I notice it when people do not stand for respect for our flag and our country. No cause is great enough to disrespect our flag and what it stands for. Where is the pride? Why are our children not standing to say the pledge to our flag in American schools?

Like William Arthur Ward, I believe America became great because of its faith in God. I agree with him in not being ashamed to take your hat off and stand at attention when a flag passes. I, like he does, get a lump in my throat when I repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and get tears in my eyes when the Star Spangled Banner is played. Like most Americans, we both want to have a free choice and not a free handout. He believes one should prove their abilities on the job, and not by demonstrating your frustrations on the street.

Each time I drive by the Super Shine Car Wash on the bypass in Winchester, I see a business that loves their country and shows it. When I see the American flag waving majestically in the sky it makes me so proud, and I have to smile each time I drive by their business or use the car wash there. To me, they get it that being an American is a priceless gift. We cannot begin to put a price tag on our being so lucky.

I would suggest planning vacations to see more of America. Our own state has many historical places to see and learn while enjoying being educated. Then branch out and see other historical places in other states, such as the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Our beautiful America has so much to offer and we are blessed to be Americans.

John Adams declared he was for the Declaration of Independence. He said that it was his living sentiment, and by the grace of God it shall be his dying sentiment. He stated this phrase, “Independence now, and independence forever!”

What a great America! Thank you for people like him, Thomas Jefferson, and all who were a part of this great document. They supported this document in Thomas Jefferson’s words, their “lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.” They literally put their lives on the line for us, Americans. For them, and for being an American, I am forever grateful!